Re: Gay Patriot live blogged

One of the topics discussed was the McCain-Feingold bill and its
impact on bloggers. This is an issue that bloggers
certainly will need to track. This FEC page
(scroll down to where it says "The Internet: Definitions of 'Public
Communications'...) provides a lot of helpful background. For
now, as a result of recent FEC regulations, bloggers generally don't need to worry about this law. I do
stress "for now."

There also was discussion of the new state law, HB 1843. The point made at the conference is that the law's impact on bloggers is unclear.

Two
sections of the law that should be of primary concern are
120C-100(13)--the definition of "Solicitation of Others" and section
120C-404--disclosure requirements for "solicitors." For
many bloggers (not all), this law clearly would not apply--it depends on the
nature of the blog and how the law is interpreted through the
regulatory process and by the courts.

Where's the libertarian perspective?

I was just watching the discussion on NC Spin
of video poker and whether it should be banned. This was the perfect
opportunity for makinig a solidly libertarian argument, namely that
not only should video poker not be banned but current regulations on
the awarding of cash prizes should be abolished. The only regulations
that should be in place would be those against fraud. With all due
respect to John Hood, after waiting with great expectation I didn't
hear it. This is an issue where the libertarian perspective can shine
through the standard left right debate, and we should be making freedom
arguments whenever the topic comes up.